5 Review Mistakes That Are Killing Your Trade Business

Most skilled tradespeople do excellent work but struggle to get the online recognition they deserve. After helping hundreds of trades professionals build their review systems, I've identified the five biggest mistakes that keep good contractors invisible online.

Mistake #1: Waiting Too Long to Ask

**The Problem:** You finish a job, send the invoice, and think "I'll ask for a review next week." Next week becomes next month, and by then, your great work is just a distant memory.

**The Fix:** Ask within 24-48 hours while the positive experience is fresh. Use our same-day follow-up scripts to strike while the iron is hot.

Mistake #2: Making It Too Complicated

**The Problem:** "Hey, if you could go to Google, search for my business, click on reviews, then write something nice..." You've lost them already.

**The Fix:** Send a direct link. Make it one click. Our toolkit includes instructions for creating review links that take customers straight to your review page.

Mistake #3: Being Too Pushy (Or Too Passive)

**The Problem:** Either you sound desperate ("Please, please leave me a review!") or you're so subtle they don't realize you're asking.

**The Fix:** Be direct but respectful. "Your project turned out great. Would you mind sharing your experience online? It really helps other homeowners find quality contractors like us."

Mistake #4: Only Asking Happy Customers

**The Problem:** You only ask customers who seem thrilled, missing opportunities with satisfied (but not vocal) clients.

**The Fix:** Ask everyone who had a positive experience. Many satisfied customers are happy to help—they just need to be asked.

Mistake #5: Not Following Up

**The Problem:** You ask once, they say "sure," and then... nothing. You never follow up because you don't want to be annoying.

**The Fix:** One polite follow-up after a week is professional, not pushy. Most people genuinely forget, and a gentle reminder gets results.

The Bottom Line

Getting reviews isn't about being salesy or manipulative. It's about making it easy for satisfied customers to share their positive experience. When you remove friction and ask at the right time, reviews happen naturally.

Ready to fix these mistakes? Our Review Toolkit includes scripts, timing guides, and follow-up templates that turn these problems into your competitive advantage.